SC notice to Centre, states on plea to ban e-rickshaws

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the central and state governments on a petition for a ban on e-rickshaws, which have become popular in cities.

According to the petition, by a Bibhash Karmakar, the three-wheelers that run on batteries are dangerous and are not authorised by Rule 126 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Its safety has not been tested by any authorised agencies and there is no insurance.

The petition said the makers were selling such vehicles powered by 800-1,000-watt (W) batteries all over the country. It violated the rule that grants certain exemptions to vehicles below 250W and speed up to 25 km per hour. But makers are selling 745W e-rickshaws with more than one horse power without testing their roadworthiness.

It is alleged the makers were smuggling the vehicles without customs clearances. All these contributed to road accidents and the government has not taken any urgent action despite the growth of these vehicles, Karmakar argued.